A few days ago while watching a movie I heard a snippet of “Never
Been to Spain” by Three Dog Night. It was written by the late, great, Hoyt
Axton and was a big hit back around 1971.
The song, as they sometimes will, got stuck in my head. And it set
me to thinking about all the places I’d like to go but have yet to see.
As the song says, I’ve never been to Spain. And although I would
not object to seeing Barcelona play at Camp Nou, a trip there isn’t really on
my list. The fact is, most of the places I long to visit are much closer to
home.
For example, there’s Death Valley.
I have visited places north, south, east, and west of there, but
have never seen Death Valley. I fully intend to go there one day. Judging from
photographs and reading, it’s a stark, harsh, barren place. Some people don’t
appreciate such beauty, but I have come to. One can never imagine that dirt and
rocks come in so many colors until you see the deserts of the American West.
And, to imagine the suffering and hardships—and the
joy—experienced by the Indians, the explorers, and the travelers who visited
there in days gone by is inspiring. Especially when you realize they looked
upon the same scenery you see today, and it is relatively unchanged.
Death Valley, here I come.
One of these days.
